THE PROPOSED LOOP-LINE TO PENROSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7651, 31 May 1886, Page 5

THE PROPOSED LOOP-LINE TO PENROSE.

Mb. Graves Aickiv, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, had a troubled forenoon on Saturday, in consequence of the statement made in the House of Representatives by Mr. Dargaville, and published in our impression of Saturday, that the persons interested in the foreshore affected by the proposed line to Penrose were likely to agree to waive their claim for compensation. Several gentlemen called on Mr. Aiekin to find out how lie came to make such a statement, and were met with the answer that no such statement hud been made, and that Mr. Darcaville must have misunderstood his communication. This question of the loop-line to Penrose has become a burning one in the city. A large number of persons are anxious to see the line commenced at once, and a petition urging the Government to begin operations without delay is now being signod. On the other haud, several of the landowners along the line strongly object to its being made, and threaten opposition by every means in their power. There is also a movement on foot to have a lino constructed by the western side of the city, to carry the northern traflic in that direction, which would, to some extent, relive the tunnel. This line, however, would be of 110 use on race days, when there is an enormous traffic between Auckland and Kllerslie. The first proposal with regard to the loop-line is, that it shall go across Mechanics' Bay and St. George's Hay. There aro here to be dealt with Mr. J. G. Harker, Mr. 11. P. Barber, Mr. Comiskey, a native teserve, Dr. Campbell, Mr. Street, Mr. G. S. lvissling, the Diocesan Trust Board, Mr. R. Wood, Mr. T. Morrin, Mr, R. C. Carr, Captain Til ley, Mr. L. Wilson. The lino would cut oil Campbell's Point. He strongly objects, and has notstated what he would claim as compensation. Mr. Street objects that the formation of the proposed embankment would cut him off from the sea, access to which, as a yachtsman, he greatly values. For one of his properties, we believe Mr. Comiskey has said that ho would require £-1000 compensation. The others have not yet been dealt with. After touching Wilson's Point, the line goes over part of the Bay, getting up to near St. John's College through a number of small properties. Nothing like a reliable estimate of the amount of compensation can yet be made, but we should think a rough guess of £40,000 would not be far out. There is another line, to adopt which would probably lessen the amount of compensation by about £10,000. It would branch off in Hobaon's Bay, cross the tongue of land vchioh runs between the sea and the Orakei Basin, skirt the native reserve, and ascend to near St. John's College in that way. The compensation asked would in many eases be for deprivation of access to the sea, and the claims would be lessened if opening were made through the railway embankment. This, however, is not provided for in the plans at present. Mr. 11. M. Brewer is the officer appointed by the Government to look into the claims for compensation, and he has been closely engaged on the business for sometime. It is quite clear that a double lino of rails as far as Penrose is absolutely required, but, considering Hie claims for compensation, the best plan would be for the Government simply to make another tunnel alongside the present one.